School resource officer hailed as hero for preventing possible massacre

by WICS/WRSP Staff

Parents greet and hug their children following a shooting at Dixon High School Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Dixon, Ill. A 19-year-old who showed up at his former high school in northern Illinois and opened fire on a police officer working there, was shot by the officer and taken into custody. The officer, who was not injured, was hailed a hero for his quick response protecting students and staff who had gathered at Dixon High School for a graduation rehearsal. (Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Media via AP)

DIXON, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) —

Latest update:

19-year-old Matt Milby, of Dixon, was released from the hospital at 10:20 a.m. Thursday before he was transported to Lee County Jail.

Milby is charged with aggravated discharge of a weapon in a school building, aggravated discharge of a firearm at a school employee and aggravated discharge of a weapon toward a peace officer.

His bond is set at $2 million and he is waiting arraignment, set for Friday, May 18.

Illinois State Police are continuing their investigation, but have learned Milby's mother purchased the weapon used in the shooting - a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, in 2012.

The investigation is open and ongoing.

Update:

The name of the Dixon High School shooter has been released.

19-year-old Matthew Milby, the shooter, is currently in the hospital following Wednesday's shooting event that occurred during graduation practice near the school's auditorium.

A school resource officer shot Milby after shots were fired outside of the school. Milby also shot several times at the officer, but missed.

Milby's mother said her son was going through a hard time prior to the shooting, but never anticipated this outcome.

"It's not that I wouldn't love to pour my heart out. But, the kid's been sad for a long time. A lot of kids steal from him, a lot of kids that have known him all his life, his kindness got taken for weakness and he got thrown under the bus. I just want to leave it at that," Julie Milby said.

School Resource Officer Mark Dallas, who shot Milby, is now on administrative leave.

Classes at Dixon High School were cancelled for Thursday.

Original:

DIXON, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - The Dixon Police Department responded to a report of an armed male subject at Dixon High School at 8:06 a.m. Wednesday.

The incident was first reported by School Resource Officer Mark Dallas, stationed at Dixon High School.

Dixon police, the Lee County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police and the Sterling Police Department responded to the scene. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also responded.

The initial investigation showed the suspect had fired several shots near the west gymnasium of the school.

Staff and students took cover in classrooms, barricading the doors with desks, bookcases and other objects during the shooting event.

The suspect was confronted by Dallas when he exited the school and began running westbound on Armory Drive. Dallas continued to pursue the suspect.

The suspect shot several shots at Dallas, who then returned fire, striking the suspect.

The suspect was then taken into custody shortly after the incident when he was just west of Dixon High School.

The injury the suspect sustained is believed to be non-life threatening. Currently, officials have not yet released the name of the suspect.

Dallas will be placed on paid administrative leave.

Staff, students and other community members were not injured. The investigation is still ongoing.